Tyranny of Steel

Berengar stood within a thicket of the densest woodlands he had ever stepped foot in. He was not dressed in his usual regal attire, which signified his authority as the Emperor of all Germans. Instead, he was dressed in rather primitive wool clothing fashioned in the style of the ancient Germanic people. There was blue war paint across his handsome face, as well as across his chiseled body.

The most powerful man in the world stood in bewilderment, with a sword in one hand and a round shield in another. He had no idea how he had gotten to this mysterious area, nor why he was dressed in such a barbaric fashion. All he knew was that someone, or something, had brought him here.

Whatever their reason, Berengar did not want to stick around to find out, and as such, he quickly sheathed his blade, before cautiously making his way through the dense forest. He could not see far into the distance, as a mysterious fog obscured even his immediate surroundings.

As a man who had previously encountered several hidden deities, Berengar knew exactly what this meant, but that did not mean for one moment that he would leave his guard down. No matter where he stepped into the mist, he appeared to be led by some mysterious force to a specific destination.

In the end, the German Emperor found himself at the base of a small pond which was surrounded by ancient runestones, and a tree larger than any other in the forest. The tattooed back of a redheaded woman could be seen seated within the pool, whose water was steaming. The mist of which exuded into the air, and out towards the rest of the forest. Before Berengar could ask a question, a sultry voice that he was all too familiar enveloped his entire being.

"So you have finally arrived, and here I thought you would keep me waiting for another few years."

After saying this, the woman turned around to expose her divine face and perfect body. However, what shocked Berengar the most was that this was a woman he knew, and loved more than any other, and yet despite this, she was so foreign to him at this moment. The redheaded beauty's sky-blue eyes gazed seductively at the man standing across from her, as she enticed him to join her in the heated pool.

"Won't you join me Berengar son of Sieghard?

Berengar looked around at his surroundings and immediately concluded that he was dreaming, which he was quick to give voice to.

"I'm dreaming, aren't I? And you are not the woman I love..."

A pouting expression which Berengar was oh so familiar with appeared on the strawberry blonde haired beauty's face as she feigned her offense. She was quick to confirm his suspicions.

"You are correct. However, I promise you I can be so much more than your little lover. So how about it, won't you join me for a bath?"

Berengar scoffed when he heard this. However, he did not deny the beauty's request and immediately dropped his shield before undressing himself. The moment his trousers came off, a hint of lust appeared on the stranger's beautiful face, her eyes never gazing away until the moment the misty water concealed her prize. Before she could speak again, Berengar exhaled heavily as if all his pent up stress was being released by the boiling pool.

"This may be a dream, but it has been some time since I have enjoyed the experience of a hot tub. I give you points for making this so realistic. So which divine figure do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

A sly smirk appeared on the woman's face as she swam across the pool, and entered Berengar's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pressing her substantial bosom up to his broad chest before whispering seductively into his ears.

"I'll give you three guesses..."

Berengar leaned back in the pool of the water, not falling for the temptresses wiles as he thought carefully on the matter for several moments in silence. There were plenty of goddesses, like her, across the many religions of this world. However, if he thought about it clearly, there was really only one name that fit this divine beauty sitting naked on his lap.

"Freyja... To what do I owe the pleasure of you invading my dreams?"

A satisfied smile appeared on the woman's pretty face as she rested her dainty chin on the man's muscular shoulder. She was thoroughly impressed by his ability to guess her identity so quickly. Thus, she could not help herself but to compliment him.

"You are good, as good as they say. No wonder why little Wyrd has become so enamored with you. I must say, I wouldn't have to visit your dreams if your little lover was half as good as her job as she thinks she is. Despite years of effort, she has found very little trace of little old me, thus I have no choice but to play this little trick. We need to talk. Meet me in the black forest at the dawn of the midwinter solstice."

Berengar merely scoffed when he heard this, before bonking the goddess on her nose with the tip of his finger. The act of which caught Freyja off guard, who quickly blushed in response. No mortal had ever dared to treat her in such an irreverent manner before. However, before she could protest, Berengar lectured her.

"Are we not speaking right now? Why must I travel all the way to the black forest, simply to speak with you? The Winter solstice is quickly approaching, and I am in the middle of war. I do not have time to play your games. Why don't you just tell me what you need to say here and now?"

A fierce glint appeared in the redheaded beauty's sky-blue eyes as she gazed upon the man sitting under her as if he were no simple mortal. After all, there was at the very least one part of a divine being infused with his flesh. When she recalled what the Norns had told her, the man had also drunk from the well of fate and a substantial amount at that. This alone made him a being above that of your average mortal.

Despite these factors, there were some things better off said within the safety of her divine domain. Thus, she was rather insistent on her previous point. With a stern expression on her gorgeous face, Freya chastised the man for his lack of reverence.

"You dare lay a finger on my divine face? Bold... Very bold Berengar. If you were not Odin's chosen, I may have forced you to pay a hefty price for your lack of worship."

Even though there was a fearsome tone in the woman's alluring voice, Berengar scoffed once more before responding to the goddess's while claims.

"Your the one sitting naked on my lap, so what, you have the right to touch me however you desire, but I can't lay a finger on you?"

Freyja glared menacingly at Berengar, however in the next moment her expression changed from wrathful to charming as she leaned in close and whispered into Berengar's ear with all the seduction she could muster.

"Exactly... Now be a good little boy, and do what I say. If you come to visit me at the appointed hour, I promise you will be well rewarded for your efforts."

If it were any other man in Berengar's position, they would have fallen under the Goddess' spell then and there, however Berengar remained entirely unphased and instead responded with a sly grin on his face.

"We'll see..."

After saying this, Berengar forced himself awake, where he found himself entangled in the loving arms of his favorite wife, Linde. She looked identical to the appearance Freyja had chosen to show to him. Other than one slight detail, her skin was completely flawless, and utterly devoid of tattoos. After placing a gentle kiss on the sleeping beauty's lips, Berengar rested his head in the woman's substantial bosom and drifted back into sleep, this time free from Freyja's influence.